Well, my Christmas was very nice. On Monday morning I went to my mom’s and we did our gift exchange there. Then Blaine and I went to Wal-Mart before coming home. We watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Then yesterday we all got together here and ate and exchanged what gifts we had left to do. I think I did pretty well in the gift department this year.

- tan corduroy pants & red sweater [I picked them out while shopping with my mom]
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix [from my brother]
- eyeshadow + mascara combo pack [from my mom]
- $25 iTunes gift card [from my sister]
- iPod radio adaptor [from my step-brother]
- $125 [from my mom and her boyfriend]
- $50 [from my grandparents]
- homemade cookies [from my niece]
- a canister of peanut butter fudge [from my great aunt]

I think the best part of the holiday, though, was hanging out and playing games yesterday evening. My mom, Bart and Trey stayed until almost eleven last night. We played Phase 10 and Trivial Pursuit Junior. It was fun, but I think we’re in dire need of some new games. It was nice, though, because we don’t get together and do stuff like that often.

I think I’m coming down with a cold. I have a stuffy nose and my throat feels a bit sore. I need to get some cold medicine. I feel really drained, and even though I slept in today, I could easily go back to bed and sleep for a few more hours.

With the upcoming New Year, comes the resolutions and mine are the same as always - lose weight and find a job. If I could find a job until I graduate and find something more steady, I think that would be awesome. I could probably find something in market research, but I don’t know if I’m up for that. I need to get over my bashfulness fast.

My mom likes to forward emails to me that she gets from her friends. Normally, I don’t like forwards, but a lot of the ones my mom sends are pretty funny. I suppose that just goes to show how similar our senses of humor are. She sent me one yesterday with the subject ‘Reason For “Holy Shit.’” I have to admit that they were pretty amusing to look at.

This one, as pictured below, looks like someone has been using a little bit too much creatine ethyl ester. Honestly, though, I’m not sure if the picture is even real. There were quite a few of them that I wasn’t really sure about. Either way, they were fun to look at. Good for a laugh.

Speaking of my mom, I went shopping with her yesterday. I finished the last of my Christmas shopping and bought my brother’s birthday present. Overall, it wasn’t too terribly bad at the stores. A bit crowded, but nothing like Black Friday. My mom also took Tori and got her ears pierced. It cost $30, which is just insane. I was really surprised, though, because Tori didn’t cry. She’s tougher than me. That’s for sure.

It’s ridiculous how early it gets dark. Grandma and I left around half past five and it was getting dark then. By the time we left the grocery store, it looked so much later than it was. We stopped by Best Buy. It was pretty busy, but I managed to get mom her Daughtry CD. The line wasn’t too long either, so that was nice.

I’m beginning to think my grandpa could use some storage stuff. He’s such a mess, honestly. He never seems to know where anything is. Maybe I should have looked into some sort of tool storage. Oh well. I doubt it would do much good since he probably wouldn’t use it. Ugh.

I really need to make a new layout. It’s been several months since I’ve changed my layout, but I just haven’t had the drive or inspiration to work on one, I guess. I’ll just add it to my list of things to do during my winter break.

This past week has been a bit hectic. I’ve been working on my final project for my digital imaging class so much lately. I went to the computer lab on Friday and Saturday. Then yesterday I went on the mystery trip with the school. Shakti thought we should give it a try, and it really was a nice time. We went to Purdue University and watched their Christmas musical. Then afterwards we went to eat at this restaurant called the Parthenon. It was my first time trying Greek food. It was good though.

Thursday will be my last day of classes for this semester. I’m ready for it, but I’m not quite ready for Christmas. I have presents to wrap. Heck, I still have presents to buy. I’m still on the fence about what to get my mom. If I could afford it, I’d buy her one of those makeup mirrors that mounts to the wall. Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of money. I’m hoping maybe I’ll find a shirt or soemthing she might like. I’m hoping to go and finish my shopping this weekend.

Man, I feel like I could use a vacation after the Thanksgiving. I’m still trying to recover. I’ve been achy and tired since I went shopping with my mom on Black Friday. Not to mention my sleeping patterns have been thrown completely off whack. I have no idea how I’m going to get back to normal now.

Right about now I would love to go on one of those tropical cruises and spend a few days relaxing. It’s cold and dreary outside here, and you can just sense that winter is right around the corner.

As much as I love Christmas, I hate the cold. More specifically, I hate snow. I hate driving in it. I hate walking in it. I just assume we not have any at all. I suppose I’d have to move elsewhere before that wish ever comes true.